Game



July 28, 1936.

/74 lg v 1 W W. WADE GAME Filed Sept. 30, 1935 /64 I36 3 5x, I46 494 M ma I 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented July 28, 1935 iJlTED STATES FATENT OFFMIE 1? Claims.

f'his invention relates to games, wherein is incorporated structure for simulating the plays of an ordinary ball game, and the primary object is the provision of unique and novel apparatus,

5 operable by two players of the game, wherein both mechanically and electrically operated parts combine to effect the score of the game being played.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a game of the aforementioned char- 10 act-er, which has uniquely disposed ball handling elements and specially formed electrical circuits that combine with one or more of said elements so that when the game is being played, skill of the opponents will determine to a large extent the ]5 winner of the game.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a specially formed game unit that has a catapult for the ball disposed on an inclined platform at the lowest point thereof, whereby the action of 20 gravity upon the ball will always return the same to a position at the catapult.

A. further object of the invention is the prol vision in a game structure of the foregoing type,

of an inclined trough along which balls may 25 travel, which trough is provided with signal devices operable by the movement of the balls and controllable also by the position of a playing ball disposed upon the surface of the inclined platform forming a part of the game.

30 Minor objects, including structural details and methods of playing the game will appear during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a game made 35 in accordance with this invention.

' Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, cross section through the game.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional View taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional View taken along line VV of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a similar view, taken along line VI--VI of Fig. 4.

45 Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, plan View of one corner of the game.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, detailed, sectional view through a length of the trough, illustrating one of the stops.

0 Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the catapult.

' Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, sectional view through a portion of the platform adjacent the catapult, and,

Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram illustrating the cir- 55 cuit employed in the game.

It is preferred to support and house the necessary working parts and elements of this game by a table, having legs i4 that are provided with leveling devices at their lower ends, such as illustrated in Fig. 1. These devices may be in the form of a tapped plate i6, through which passes the adjustable bolt it that serves as a foot for each leg 54 respectively. Manipulation of these bolts it will permit leveling of the remaining parts of the table, which include side walls 20 and 10 the glass cover 22, carried by said walls 20 in serving therewith to complete a case illuminated by a number of electrical lamps 24, positioned beneath reflectors 2% carried by sides 20.

This aforementioned case is bottomed by a platform 28 that has a concave rolling surface for the playing ball 30, and which is generally a flattened, inverted cone that presents a face inclined downwardly from the periphery thereof to a central zone where the catapult 32 is positioned. This catapult comprises a disc of insulating material 34, having a notch 36 formed at the periphery thereof and extending inwardly to present an inclined notch as illustrated in Fig. 9. This notch is wider at the entrance thereof than the diameter of ball and narrower in width at its base than the diameter of said ball 35. An upper plate of conducting material 38, which has a downturned lip 40 entering notch 36, is insulated from lower plate 42, which has an upturned lip 44 ex- 30 tending into notch at the opposite side of notch 35. Upper plate 38 is directly engaged by pintle 4t and this pintle in turn is electrically connected to wire 48. A plate 50 of copper or similar material covers a portion of the upper 35 surface of platform 28 and underlies disc 34 so that electrical connection might be made to lower plate 42 as the catapult 32 is rotated. A wire 52 joins plate 58 and a resilient tongue 54 creates a wiping contact as lower plate 42 is rotated about the axis of pintle 46. Thus it will be seen that when ball 30, which is of metal, joints lips 40 and 44, a circuit will be closed.

To render the catapult 32 more realistic, a figure 56 is mounted upon disc 34 and simulates a ball pitcher. The catapulting structure 32 may be spun about the axis of pintle 46 in any suitable manner, but the means for manually projecting ball 30 and spinning catapult 32 is preferable. This means includes a pulley wheel 58 mounted upon the lower end of pintle 46 and another, yet larger, pulley wheel 60 carried by one of the walls 20 so that a portion thereof projects therebeyond as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. A belt 62 passes over pulleys 58 and 60 and the position of notch 36 may be manipulated so that it will receive ball 36.

The upper surface of platform 28 is preferably covered by some resilient material such as rubber, and when ball 36 is projected, it travels over this surface toward the periphery of the platform and then moves back toward. catapult 82 through the action of gravity.

Ball 36 should be directed toward a striking element 64 which forms a part of a figure simulating a ball batter. This figure 66 may be spun about the axis of shaft 68 which projects through platform 26 to be engaged by pulley 28, around which belt 12 is passed. Another pulley 14, mounted upon shaft 76, journalled in bearing 18 on side 26, is in engagement with belt 12 and upon manual manipulation of pulley 14, striking element 65 spins about a vertical axis to pass over the confined area of platform 28. Obviously, when ball 86 is projected toward this striking element 64, it is likely to be engaged thereby and driven across platform 28. Stationary figures 86 may be mounted on platform 28 in positions desired and when they are engaged by ball 38, certain rules of the game are brought into force. A gong 82, preferably disposed in the corner of the case diagonally opposite from striking element 64 is used to indicate home runs when the same is struck by ball A pit 84, formed in platform 28, receives ball 38 when it has been driven past striking element 66 and this pit is bottomed by a plate 86 that may be lifted to a level slightly above that of the adjacent portion of platform 28 when it is necessary to free ball 36 therefrom. Plate 86 is lifted by merely pulling knob 88 which is in connection with rod 96 joined to one arm 92 of a bell crank lever pivotally mounted at 86. The other arm 96 of this lever engages stem 88 which projects downwardly from plate 86 and a spring I66 serves to maintain these parts in the normal position. Lamps 24- have their circuit closed by a suitable switch I82 and the circuit supplying these lamps will be hereinafter traced.

Under certain conditions of play, the party operating striking element 65 will wish to introduce one of balls I64 to inclined trough I66. This trough is supported by sides 26 and extends around platform 28 thereabove. One end of trough I66 overlies the other and balls I84 may be elevated from the low and to the upper end by reciprocable elevator I88, detailed in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. This elevator I88 has an opening IIE! therein to receive arm I I2 that is pivotally mounted upon a shaft H4 which passes through side 20. When handle IE6 is manipulated, elevator I88 is actuated by arm I I2 and balls I64 are lifted one at a time to the upper end of trough I86. When a ball I64 is introduced into trough I86, action of gravity causes it to roll therealong toward the other and lower end.

A series of stops I I8 intersect the path of travel of balls I64 and when stops II8 are in the position shown in full lines of Fig. 8, the ball is retained at that point. When stop H8 is turned so that the flattened side of shaft I28 is above ball I04, the latter is free to travel past that particular stop. These stops are located at the corners of the rectangular figure which correspond tofirst, second and third bases of a ball diamond.

Platform 28 is provided with an opening I22 at each of the four corners thereof and an electric lamp I24 is disposed beneath each of these openings respectively. As balls I84 roll along trough I66, a circuit is closed periodically to indicate that the ball is past a given portion of the trough I06. In reality, the purpose of this struc ture is to visibly indicate that the ball has passed. first, second or third base.

The means for closing the circuits to the various lamps I 24 comprises a series of switch-like 5 structures, each of which is the same. Each of said structures includes a contact finger I26 that is flexed by ball I64 as it passes the same. This contact finger I26 is mounted upon a short metal section I28 of the side of trough I66. This section I28 forms a part of electrical circuit and the other side I36 of trough I66 is also a part of the electrical circuit. It is notable that this side I36 is continuous. Obviously, when the switch struc ture at any given corner is closed, the lamp I24 beneath opening I22 at that corner will light so long as one of the balls I84 interconnects finger I26 and side I36.

The circuit which includes the switch members just described is made or broken by the presence 20 or absence of ball 38 in notch 36 and therefore, if ball 36 reaches notch 36 before one of balls I 04 passes the first spring finger I26, the rules of the game will require that the player be out before reaching first base. The relationship between the switches that are controlled by ball I36 and balls I84 respectively is unique and the skill of the players is brought into effect to an appreciable degree.

Reference to Fig. 11 will readily indicate one 30 manner of providing circuits for the electrical elements of the game. Lines I32 and I34 constitute the source of electrical supply and when it is desired to illuminate platform 28, switch I62 is closed. All of lamps 24 will therefore be caused to glow because of the circuit which is closed from line I32 to wire I36,wire I38, wires I46, I42, I44, and I46, into lamps 24 by way of wires I48, I58, I52 and I54 respectively. From the four lamps 24, the circuit is completed to wire I56 through wires I58, I68, I62, and I64, respectively. Switch I02 is in wire I56 that, in turn, is joined to the other line 534 by wire I 66.

The switch of which ball 30 is a part is diagrammatically illustrated at I68 and an additional switch I18 may be employed to supplement the ball closing switch. Assuming that the ball is in position as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 9, and switch I10 is closed, the various lamps I24 will be successively closed as fingers !26 are contacted by a ball I64.

Further assuming that fingers I26 are contacted by a'ball, the circuit which causes lamps I24 to glow will be as follows: line I32, wire I36, wire I38, first lamp I24, contacted finger I26, wire I12, Wire I13, wire I18, wire I86, switch I68, wire I82, switch I16, wire I84, wire I66 to line I34.

When spring finger I26 associated with the second lamp is closed, the circuit which supplied current to this lamp will be as follows: line I32, wire I36, wire I38, wire M8, the second lamp I24, wire I14, finger I26, wire I15, wire I13, wire I18, wire I88, closed switch I68, wire I82, closed switch I16, wire I84, wire I66, to line I34.

When the third lamp E24 is illuminated by the closing of its spring finger I 26, the circuit is closed as follows: line I32, wire I36, wire I38, wire I40, wire I42, lamp I24, finger I26, wire I16, wire I18, wire I80, closed switch I68, wire 982, closed switch I16, wire I84, wire I66 to line I34. 70

When the fourth lamp at the lower right hand corner of Fig. 11 is illuminated by the contacting of the associated finger I26, the circuit is closed as follows: line I32, wires I36, I38, I46, I42, I44, lamp I24, spring finger I26, Wire I86, closed 75 switch I68, wire I82, closed switch l'lt, wire I84, Wire I66 to line I34. It is obvious from this circuit that unless switch I68 is closed by ball I39, none of lamps I24 will be caused to glow when the associated spring finger I26 is contacted by one of balls N34.

The angle of inclination of trough I06 may be slightly increased directly below stops H8 and at the point of introducing balls N34 to the trough. This construction will impart momentum to the balls so that they will definitely pass spring fingers I26.

The rules of the game may be varied to suit conditions and desires of the players, and while a specific form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is understood that a large number of modifications might be employed without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a conical platform; a ball; a catapult rotatably mounted on the platform at the lowest point thereof for projecting the ball across the face of the platform; structure for operating the catapult; and a striking element movable over a portion of the face of said platform, said ball being returned to the catapult by action of gravity after being projected therefrom.

2. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform; a ball; a catapult rotatably mounted on the platform adjacent the center thereof for projecting the ball across the face of the platform; structure for operating the catapult; a pit formed by the platform at a point removed from the catapult and adapted to hold the said ball therein when the same is driven thereinto by the catapult; and a device for maintaining the ball in the pit at said point and selectively lifting the ball from the pit.

3. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a conical platform; a ball on the platform; a catapult rotatably mounted on the platform adjacent the center thereof for projecting the ball across the face of the platform; structure for operating the catapult; a striking element remote from the catapult, movable over a portion of the face of said platform; and a pit formed by the platform near the striking element, said pit having a floor therein movable to and from the plane of the platform at the edge thereof.

4. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform having a rolling surface in the form of a flattened inverted cone; a ball on the platform; a catapult having a peripherial notch formed therein rotatably mounted on the platform adjacent the center thereof for projecting the ball across the face of the platform; structure for operating the catapult; a striking element remote from the catapult, movable over a portion of the face of said platform; and a pit formed by the platform near the striking element, said platform being inclined downwardly from the periphery thereof to the catapult whereby the said ball will roll to the catapult by the action of gravity from any point on the said platform, and said catapult may be rotated to engage the ball within the said notch.

5. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform inclined downwardly from the periphery to a point adjacent the center thereof; a catapult having a peripherial notch formed therein rotatably carried by the platform at its lowest point; and a striking element on the platform in spaced relation to the catapult.

6. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform inclined downwardly from the periphery to a point adjacent the center thereof; a catapult rotatably carried by the platform at its lowest point; a striking element on the platform in spaced relation to "5 the catapult; and independent means in connection with the catapult and striking element respectively for selectively operating the same, said means comprising pulleys rotatably mounted below the platform, projecting beyond the edges thereof and having operable connection with the said catapult and striking element respectively.

7. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform inclined downwardly from the periphery to a point adjacent the center thereof; a catapult rotatably carried by the platform at its lowest point; and a strik ing element on the platform in spaced relation to the catapult; said catapult comprising a disc having a notch formed in the periphery thereof to receive the ball, a pintle supporting the disc, and an operating belt for rotating the pintle and disc.

8. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform inclined downwardly from the periphery to a point adjacent the center thereof; a catapult rotatably carried by the platform at its lowest point; and a striking element on the platform in spaced relation to the catapult, said catapult comprising a disc having a notch formed in the periphery thereof to receive the ball, a pintle supporting the disc, a pulley wheel on the pintle, another pulley wheel rotatably mounted adjacent the edge of the said platform, and a belt connecting the pulleys whereby operation of the latter will rotate the disc.

9. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform inclined downwardly from the periphery to a point adjacent the center thereof; a catapult rotatably carried by the platform at its lowest point; and a striking element on the platform in spaced relation to the catapult, said catapult comprising a disc having a notch formed in the periphery thereof to re ceive the ball, a pintle supporting the disc, and an operating belt for rotating the pintle and disc, the edges of the disc forming the notch converging as the axis of the disc is approached.

10. A game of the character described comprising, in combination, a platform inclined downwardly from the periphery to a point adjacent the center thereof; a catapult rotatably carried by the platform at its lowest point; and a striking element on the platform in spaced relation to the catapult, said catapult comprising a disc having a notch formed in the periphery thereof to receive the ball, a pintle supporting the disc, and an operating belt for rotating the pintle and disc, the edges of the disc forming the notch converging as the axis of the disc is approached, the width of the notch at the periphery of the disc being greater than the diameter of the ball and the width of said notch at the base of the notch being less than the diameter of the said ball.

11. In a game of the character described, a platform; upstanding walls around the edge of the platform; a ball on the platform; a catapult for projecting the ball across the face of the platform; a striking element on the platform to act upon the ball when the same is met thereby; an inclined trough carried by the said walls circumscribing said platform above the same; and a ball in said trough movable by gravity from one end of the trough to the other end thereof.

12. In a game of the character described, a platform; upstanding walls around the edge of the platform; a ball on the platform; a catapult for projecting the ball across the face of the platform; a striking element on the platform to act upon the ball when the same is met thereby; an inclined. trough circumscribing said platform with the ends thereof at one corner of the walls; a ball in said trough movable by gravity from one end of the trough to the other end thereof; and an elevator at said corner of the walls for lifting the ball from one end of the trough to the. other end thereof.

13. In a game of the character described, a platform having a continuous circumscribing wall extending upwardly therefrom; a ball on the platform; a catapult for projecting the ball across the face of the platform; a striking element on the platform to act upon the ball when the same is met thereby; an inclined trough mounted on the wall above and circumscribing said platform; a ball in said trough movable by gravity from one end of the trough to the other end thereof; and an elevator for lifting the ball from one end of the trough to the other end thereof, said trough having a plurality of stops selectively movable to a position precluding the passage of the ball along said trough.

14. In a game of the character described, a platform; a ball on the platform; a catapult for projecting the ball across the face of the platform; a striking element on the platform to act upon the ball when the same is met thereby; an inclined trough circumscribing said platform; a ball in said trough movable by gravity from one end of the trough to the other end thereof; and a series of signal members located in the trough in the path of travel of the ball whereby to be operated thereby as the same travels from. one end thereof to the other.

15. A game of the character described, comprising a platform; a ball of electrical conductive material freely movable across the face of the platform; a rotatable disc having a peripheral notch formed therein for catapulting the said ball; a striking element on the platform remote from the disc for the purpose of intercepting the ball as it travels along certain paths of travel; and an electrical circuit including a portion of the said platform and the said notched disc, closed by the said ball when in the notch of the disc.

16. A game of the character described, comprising a platform; a ball of electrical conductive material freely movable across the face of the platform; a rotatable disc having a peripheral notch formed therein for catapulting the said ball; a striking element on the platform remote from the disc for the purpose of intercepting the ball as it travels along certain paths of travel; an electrical circuit including a portion of the said platform and the said notched disc, closed by the said ball when in the notch of the disc; an inclined trough extending around the edge of said platform; a ball in said trough movable by gravity from one end of the trough to the other end thereof; a series of electric signals each having a switch located in the said trough and operable to the closed position by the ball as it engages the same; and conductors supplying current to said switches including said disc and portion of the platform whereby said electric signals can not be actuated by the closing of their respective switches unless the said ball is in the notch of said disc to connect the said conductors.

1'7. A game of the character described, comprising an inverted, flattened, conical platform; a ball freely movable across the concave face of the platform; a catapult for the ball at the lowest point on the face of the platform; an electric circuit closed by the said ball when disposed within the catapult; an inclined trough associated with the platform; a ball movable along the trough; a series of electrical switches in the trough closable by the ball therein; and conductors interconnecting the said electric circuit and the said electrical switches whereby the closing of the latter is effective to complete a circuit only when the first mentioned ball is disposed within the catapult.

WALTER W. WADE. 

